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IMAGES: From 'Researching Staffordshire's Great War Memorial. Available to download > HERE

John Bourne was born in in Burslem. He attended North Road Primary School and Stanfield Tech. North Road School is opposite the Dog & Partridge pub. He has therefore been aware of the war memorial attached to its walls for most of his life, but only recently did he realise how little he understood it. He taught History at Birmingham University for thirty years before his retirement in September 2009, founding the Centre for First World War Studies and the MA in British First World War Studies. He is now Hon. Professor of First World War Studies at the University of Wolverhampton and Vice President of the Western Front Association.

Details of John 's talk:

Like many (perhaps most) war memorials the Hot Lane & Elder Road Street Shrine in Cobridge appears a simple and straightforward artefact, but when examined closely its mysteries become apparent. When was the memorial unveiled? Why does it exist? How does it fit into the local war memorial context? Why are these names on it and who were they? What does it tell us about the experience of the war? This talk will throw some light on these mysteries, but others remain, perhaps forever.

About Us

The Western Front Association (WFA) was formed with the aim of furthering interest in The Great War of 1914-1918. We also aim to perpetuate the memory, courage and comradeship of all those on all sides who served their countries in France and Flanders, and their own countries, during The Great War.